Dating / Scans

[TokenGinger]

Can somebody help me make sense of how the dating works for pregnancy?

I just cannot get my head around it. Or, I think I have my head around it but my friend is telling me I'm wrong.

The way I've worked it out is, you're actually only pregnant for 38 weeks, but it's considered 40 weeks as day of conception is day 14 of pregnancy.

So, if I conceived on the 17th September, that makes me 5 weeks, not 3?

Is this correct? I am so confused. As I've not had a period since August, I can't use that as working out when my midwife appointment etc should be xx

Yes the first two weeks you are not actually pregnant and assumes ovulation on day 14. Usually pregnancy is dated from last period until dating scan but as you said this doesn't always work.

If you conceived on the 17th that would make you 5 weeks pregnant today - if you had a regular 28 day cycle then the first day of your last period (LMP) would have been on the 3rd September or thereabouts.

Don’t worry too much though - your official due date is based on the measurements at your dating scan which is done at around 12 weeks.

Meant to say - yes, you are right! First two weeks of “pregnancy” you are not actually pregnant at all.

Thank you, ladies. I was more working out when our scans might be etc. It's helpful to know! Xx